Priest charged with stealing $160K from former church

A Catholic priest has been charged with felony theft for allegedly stealing roughly $160,000 from his former parish, with the alleged financial misconduct coming to light after he resigned amid a separate criminal investigation. 

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced in a statement Saturday that Father Richard Storey surrendered to the Leawood Police Department on a level 5 felony theft charge tied to his time as pastor of Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, where he formerly served as pastor. 

“This news is deeply painful for all of us in the Catholic community, particularly given the nature of the allegations involving resources entrusted to the Church through the sacrifice and generosity of the faithful,” Archbishop Shawn McKnight said in a statement in response to the allegations against Storey. “My primary concern at this time is for the people of Cure of Ars parish and all those directly affected.” 

McKnight emphasized that the allegations are serious but stressed that Storey is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through either civil or canonical proceedings. He also urged parishioners to respond with “sensitivity, patience, charity and respect” as the case unfolds.

“I recognize there will be differing emotions and perspectives within the community in the days ahead," he said while urging the congregation to be "trusting that with faith in Christ, our community can emerge stronger and more united.”

The news of allegations of financial wrongdoing against Storey comes eight months after the Archdiocese first learned of an unrelated criminal investigation into Storey by the Leawood Police Department. Shortly after this news first broke in September, Storey resigned as pastor of Cure of Ars and the Archdiocese launched a preliminary canonical investigation.

According to the Archdiocese, that review uncovered information warranting referral to law enforcement. Church officials said they are cooperating fully with investigators and plan to file an insurance claim to recover the missing funds.

“No further information will be shared at this time until both the civil criminal and internal canonical processes have been completed,” the archdiocese added. 

Court documents obtained by KMBC-TV allege that the theft occurred between January 2021 and December 2025 and involved funds belonging to both Cure of Ars and the Archdiocese. The report also noted that the separate investigation that prompted Storey’s resignation centers on an alleged incident involving another adult male at the parish rectory. That investigation remains ongoing.

Court documents obtained by KMBC-TV allege that the theft occurred between January 2021 and December 2025 and involved funds belonging to both Cure of Ars and the Archdiocese. The report also noted that the separate investigation that prompted Storey’s resignation centers on an alleged incident involving another adult male at the parish rectory. That investigation remains ongoing.

Storey, who turned himself in to the Leawood Police Department on May 23, is out on bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for June 2.